"Huff... Huff... Huff... Ho-cha!!!" Infernape was half kneeling on the ground, gasping heavily, slowly rising from the ground. Yuji initially wanted Electivire to pursue, but a terrifying aura began to extend slowly from Infernape.
The command he was about to blurt out was forcibly halted by this aura.
"What's going on... What's this power?"
"Boom!!!" In the next moment, Infernape supported its hands on its waist, leaned its entire body back, and terrifying flames erupted from its body, filling the arena with astonishing heat!
A transparent shield was erected in front of the audience seats, preventing the spectators from feeling like they were about to melt due to the terrifying heat emanating from Infernape's body.
The ground where Infernape stood was scalded red by the blazing flames, like a small sun, seemingly ready to incinerate everything around it!
This terrifying fire forced Electivire to take two steps back; compared to before, Infernape was unquestionably more formidable now, and if touched by those flames, it would likely melt instantly.
"Here it comes, Infernape's Super Blaze!" Misty excitedly waved her small fist.
"Super Blaze?" Serena was somewhat puzzled upon hearing this term; she knew about the Blaze Ability, but what is Super Blaze?
"This is a unique ability of Ash's Infernape, an enhanced version of Blaze. According to Ash's estimation, Super Blaze amplifies fire power by double compared to ordinary Blaze. In other words, regular Blaze only boosts fire by fifty percent, but Super Blaze can boost it by one hundred percent!"
Hearing this, Serena's mouth gaped, her pretty face full of incredulity.
An ability that amplifies firepower by one hundred percent? Is there such a bug-like ability in this world? If fire strength is increased that much, isn't challenging higher levels as easy as eating and drinking?
"Moreover, Super Blaze can increase Infernape's attack and speed, but it doesn't enhance defensive power or physical strength. With unchanged stamina, it squeezes more power out of itself, undoubtedly resulting in faster stamina depletion."
"Plus, Super Blaze triggers when stamina is below thirty percent, meaning once Super Blaze is activated, it's a race against time," Misty continued explaining the drawbacks of Super Blaze.
Although Super Blaze is far more powerful than ordinary Blaze, its drawbacks are equally apparent. Its activation requires one's stamina to be very low, and once triggered it accelerates stamina consumption, a burden for the user.
So the appearance of Super Blaze signals both Infernape's peak strength and its final dramatic act!
"What terrifying flames; is this Infernape's true power? Though I heard of it before, seeing it in person is a first, and this Blaze is indeed on another level compared to ordinary Fire-type Pokemon." Yuji clenched his fists, muttering gravely.
The initial surprise from having the upper hand had completely vanished now.
"The real battle starts now. Infernape, use Flare Blitz!!" Ash's routine move put the stamina-drained Infernape to use Flare Blitz under Super Blaze.
Infernape followed Ash's command without hesitation, dark blue flames surged from its body, enveloping it entirely in an instant, the scorching atmosphere nearly piercing through the weather. The distant Electivire couldn't tell if it was from cold sweat or sweat from the heat.
"Electivire, use Protect!!" Sensing the attack, Yuji hastily commanded.
Faced with Infernape in this state, there was no way he would let Electivire confront it head-on — that would be suicidal!
Previously Thunder Punch couldn't overpower Mach Punch, and now even using Thunder, Yuji didn't believe Electivire could block that Flare Blitz.
The best strategy was to use Protect to intercept the opponent and exploit their opening when they're hit by the backlash, securing victory!
Pokemon battles aren't just about who has higher attack power or speed; strategy is crucial!
Yuji watched the emerald barrier light up in front of Electivire, his lips curling into a smile — he'd win this match!
"Boom!!" The Infernape wrapped in blue flames charged forward like a meteor, colliding fiercely with the seemingly fragile barrier!
Visible shockwaves spread out, the fierce winds blowing the clothes of both trainers wildly, while the sandstorm gradually obscured the vision of all present, making the conflict on the field increasingly unpredictable. Yet glimpses of blue and green lights still flashed, with blue currently more radiant.
Soon, however, the blue light began to dim. Despite the swirling sand and stone, Yuji clearly saw that Infernape's Flare Blitz was weakening, yet before he could smile, Electivire's barrier released a faint sound drowned out by the raging impacts, but the cracks on the shield were visibly clear!
Infernape's Flare Blitz had cracked even the Protect barrier!
This was supposed to be an invincible defensive move, yet under Blaze, Infernape's ATK could challenge this level of strength?
Nevertheless, Protect wasn't completely broken — the backlash sent Infernape flying, the enormous force causing it to tumble mid-air.
Electivire was gasping on one knee, supporting itself with a hand on its knee.
"Electivire, use Thunder!" Yuji wouldn't waste such a rare opportunity.
Infernape was airborne and unable to dodge; if Thunder hit, the outcome would be decided!
"Infernape, Flame Wheel!" Ash commanded calmly without panic.
"Ho-cha!" In the air, Infernape accelerated its tumble, vast flames surged within, instantly forming a spinning wheel of blue flame!
Flame Wheel spun rapidly, stirring up the ground's dust, blue flames dazzling, overshadowing even the golden electricity!
Meanwhile, Electivire gathered all its electric power, golden lightning no longer encircled its body but coalesced into a massive thunder column, rising skyward from its head, striking towards Flame Wheel with world-devastating might!
"Rumble——!" The thunder was deafening, wherever the golden thunder pillar passed, air twisted and the ground electrified into black powder, its brutal energy causing ripples in the audience barrier.
Only now did the spectators realize there was a shield protecting them all along; some idle viewers thought — the organizers were considerate. Without this shield, they'd be in agony from leftover electricity and fire.
As blue Flame Wheel collided with the golden thunder pillar, the arena seemed to fall into momentary silence. Next second, a rampant energy shockwave swept across!
Golden lightning crazily gnawed at blue fire, emitting screeching sounds, countless electric fragments like golden sparks scattered; yet Infernape's blue flames grew fiercer under Super Blaze, the spinning force of Flame Wheel intensifying, advancing against the lightning's impact.
"Crack!" Amid continuous clash noises, a crisp sound exploded in the air, with golden lightning shattering, leaving only vivid blue flames dragging downward like a meteor!
"Boom!" Flame Wheel reflected in Electivire's pupils, subsequently crashing onto it with unprecedented noise, shrouding the whole area in thick smoke, making the final outcome unreadable.
As dust slowly cleared, Yuji lowered his raised hand, staring intently at the field, where a black-and-yellow figure lay on the ground, while a stance with flickering hot flames at the tail stood upright, the victor decided!